Wells Harbour will remain safe for Mariners with the latest installation of a West Cardinal JET 5000 buoy supplied by Hydrosphere UK Ltd. (23 July 2013)
The 2.4m diameter flat bottomed buoy has been deployed at the entrance to the outer harbour where boats can come into difficulty in low tide due to the sand bar. This highly visible buoy will aid mariners in navigating a wide enough route around the bar. Designed by world-leading buoy manufacturer Mobilis the JET 5000 is built to withstand extreme sea conditions like those that can affect the North Norfolk coast. It is constructed with UV stabilised medium density polyethylene and has a galvanised steel central structure.
“The area marked by the new West Cardinal Buoy is exposed to strong northerly winds and large swells,” Robert Smith, Harbour Master for Wells Harbour Commissioners has commented. “Traditionally I have always used steel buoys as I was concerned that other types of buoys would be unable to stand the elements. However, I am really pleased to say this has not been the case and the new West Cardinal buoy supplied by Hydrosphere has proven to be more than capable to withstand whatever the North sea seems to throw at it.”
In addition, Hydrosphere has supplied a Vega VLB-67 solar navigation beacon with a 3NM range to light the buoy at night.
Wells Harbour has become increasingly busy in the last few years, particularly since being chosen as a base for survey, crew and work boats supporting construction and future operation of Sheringham Shoal offshore windfarm. With the provision of a new jetty for work boats behind the lifeboat house and dredging the harbour entrance channel there was an average of 15 commercial vessels operating from the Outer Harbour last year, with the Harbour likely to become increasingly busy in 2013.
For more information on Wells Harbour visit their website.
